Sri Ahobala Nava Narasimha Kshetra Darshana

A brief detail on the Sthala Mahime of Ahobilam with the exerpts taken from a book
written by Prof DN Sudheendra Rao.

Why the name?

When Sri Narasimha came out of the splitting Pillar with his Roudravatara and killed
Hiranya Kashipu with his nails cutting into the intestines, the gathered people and deva /
Devatha ganagaLu exclaimed in awe …..saying..
Ahoveeryam Ahoshouryam Ado Bahu Parakramam |
Narasimha paraM daivaM AhobalaM AhobalaM ||

The other story is that since the Upper Hill Narasimha is within a cave (Bilam)
The place is known as Ahobilam..

Whats this place made of?

The series of Mountains in Andhra Pradesh that has spread from Srisailam to Tirupati via
Ahobilam represents Adi Shesha, with his Head at Tirumala, center portion at Ahobila
and tail portion at Srisailam. There are two mountains around Ahobilam,
Garudadri and Vedadri.

Garuda did penance to see Vishnu in the roopa of Narasimha, which was granted at this
place, hence the name Garudadri. During the avatara of Sri Narasimha, there was a
Veda Ghosha on the other side of the mountains hence the name Vedadri.

The palace of HiranyaKashipu was in between these two mountains which is still visible
in its remains. Also the broken Pillar from which Sri Narasimha came out can be seen
here.
River Mandakini flows here, and since it was her who washed away the blood and flesh
of HiranyaKashipu, she is also known as “Bhava Nashini”

Since Sri Lakshmi Devi came down to douse the anger of Lord and stayed here, the forest
around this area is known as Sri Lakshmi Vana

There are two Ahobilams – Lower and Upper, In the Lower Ahobilam, we have 1000
year old Parhalada Varada Narasimha Swamy Temple.
As per Srinivasa Kalyana Story, where Srinivasa wanted to worship Narasimha and offer
him the first Naivedya, he had come down here along with Padmavathi on Garuda
And we still see a Vigraha of Srinivasa Devaru here on the left side of lower

Information on all 9 Narasimha Temples / Idols

1. Sri Jwala Narasimha: 4kms from the Upper Ahobilam, very difficult to reach here
has to be on foot to reach the temple. This is called so because of the Lord
coming out of the Pillar like a Volcano (Jwala Mukhi) after losing patience with
HiranyaKashipu. There are 3 idols here –
 a. The one which is coming out of the splitting pillar with 4 shoulders
b. The one which is scraping the intestines of the demon with 8 shoulders
c. Hitting the demon with right hand, who is coming with a sword.
You can also see the idol of Prahaladha here.

There is a pond near by which is called Raktha Kunda with reddish hue,
This is where the Lord washed his hands after the killing.

2. Sri Ahobila Narasimha : In the upper Ahobilam. This is a big temple with
facilities for stay and accommodation. There is a good road from Lower
Ahobilam to this place. Sri Ramachandra had come here with his wife and
brother and had worshipped Lord Narasimha

3. Sri Malola Narasimha: 2kms from Upper Ahobilam, in the Vedadri ranges. This
is a soumya roopi Narasimha and hence called Malola (Lakshmi Lola) Narasimha

4. Sri Krodha Narasimha or Sri Varaha Narasimha: This is around 2kms from Upper
Ahobilam. There are two idols, the one which killed Hiranyaksha and saved all
the Vedas in the form of Varaha Narasimha with face like Varaha, Human like
body (with arms) and Lion like tail. There is alos a Varaha Kunda

5. Sri Karanja Narasimha or Sri Saranga Narasimha: This is around 1 km from

Upper Ahobilam. This idol is under the hood of Adi Shesha and strange thing is
that it has a Bow (Billu / Saranga) in one of the hands hence the name Saranga
Narasimha. Another story goes like this …. When Hanumantha came here and
worshipped God, Lord Narasimha gave darshan. But Hanumantha was not ready
to accept anyone else other than Sri Rama as God and hence Sri Narasimha gave
him the darshan as Rama and that’s how he got the Bow in his hands (Too good
to believe)
The first 5 roopas are in and around the Upper Ahobilam.

6. Sri Bhargava Narasimha: This is closer to Lower Ahobilam by 2 kms can go by

walk or rikshaw. When Parashurama came here to take darshan of Sri Narasimha,
the Lord gave him the darshan near Akshya Theertha hence the name Bhargave
Narasimha. The idol has 4 shoulders, two hands with Chakra and Shankhu two
more splitting the intestines of the demon. The direction of the demon’s head is
changed here in this roopa.

7. Sri Yogananda Narasimha: Around 2km from Lower Ahobilam, the Lord is in
Yogamudra and has Mandasmitha on his face. After the killing of the demon and
Sri Lakshmi reduced the anger, Sri Narasimha taought some yogasana to Prahlada
here. The idol also has Yoga Patti. (The similar idol is in Devarayana Durga /
Karigiri Kshethra)

8. Sri Chatravata Narasimha Swami: around 4kms from Lower Ahobilam, One of
the hands of the idol is on his left lap, as if enjoying some music concert. This
 indeed is known to be the place to offer Sangeetha / Nritya Seve to Sri
Narasimha. Artists from all over the country come here for the same. There is
also a story about Haa / Hoo Gandharvaru offering Sangeetha nritya to Swamy
here.

9. Sri Pavana Narasimha: This is around 16 kms gm Lower Ahobilam (the farthest).
Has four shoulders Sahnkhu, chakra in one each, Abhaya Hasta and one more
shoulder around Sri Lakshmi Devi. This place is known to be the one worshipped
by Bharadhwaja Muni.

Some rare / unknown facts about Ahobilam / Narasimha.

1. This is the only Kshetra with same god appearing in nine different roopas
2. In Ahobilam, whichever direction you travel, you will find one or the other
Narasimha Temple
3. All Narasimha Temples have a Rudra Devaru worshipping the lord along with
Parvathi
4. This is where Shiva explained Parvathi about 9 roopas of Narasimha which is
found in Sri Nrusimhanushtup Mantra.
UgraM veeraM mahavishnuM
JwalathaM sarvatho mukhaM |
NrusimhaM bheeshaNM bhadraM
MruthymruthyuM namamyahaM ||
5. The 9 roops of Narasimha are also the aradya Devatha of Nava Grahas.
Guru – Ahobila Narasimha Swamy
Mangala - Jwala Narasimha Swamy
Shukra - Malola Narasimha Swamy
Rahu - Krodha Narasimha Swamy
Chandra - Karanja Narasimha Swamy
Surya - Bhargava Narasimha Swamy
Shani - Yogananda Narasimha Swamy
Ketu - Chatravata Narasimha Swamy
Budha - Pavana Narasimha Swamy
Hence the belief that Worshipping Lord Narasimha would take care of Navagraha Pooje.
And the saying Navagrhanthargatha Sri Narasimha Swamy……

Madhwa Yathigalu / Sri Hari Dasaru at Ahobilam:

1. Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu has given 1 lakh Narasimha Mantra Tarpana in the
banks of Bhava Nashini River
2. Bhavi Sameera Sri Vadirajaru has explained about this kshetra in detail and also
the greatness of Bhava Nashini River. He has also composed Runa Vimochana
Narasimha Sthotram, which is believed to get rid of all loans.
3. There are several Theerthas / Kalyanis here some of which are part of
composition from Vijayadasaru and Gopala Dasaru.
Approaches to Ahobilam:

From BLR, you can reach Ahobilam in several routes (provided you have your own
vehicle)

BLR - Chittoor - 200kms

Chittoor - Cuddapa - 180 kms
Cuddapa - Allagadda - 100 kms
Allagadda - Ahobilam - 20 kms
Total Distance - 500kms (approx)

The other route is:

BLR - Anantapur - 220 kms
Anantapur - Tadapatri - 50 kms
Tadapatri - Allagadda (via banagana palle) - 130 kms
Allagadda - Ahobilam - 20 kms
Total Distance - 420kms (approx)

The smoothest and longest route: (If you are going by Train / Bus)
BLR - Kurnool - 400 kms
Kurnool - Allagadda (via Nandyal) - 120 kms
Allagadda - Ahobilam - 20 kms
Total Distance - 420kms (approx)

Note:
Allagadda is on the National Highway NH 18 connecting Kurnool with Chittoor
The stretch between Tadapatri and Banaganapalle is not good.
For directions, Refer to TTK Map of Andhra State.
There is a lot of driving around in Ahobilam atleast around 50 kms roundabout,
so its better to hire a vehicle incase you dont go by your own.

Situation at Ahobilam:
1. Its a very Sri Vaishnava dominated kshetra, no Madhwa Mutts.

2. However you have free chatras (nominal fees) for Trimathastha Brahmins run by
Ahobilam Mutt (Iyengars). There is a guy by name Badari Narayan, not known to be
a professional & courteous person, you have to call him atleast 3-4 times to confirm
accomodation and any other help. He can be reached at 08519 - 252 045.

3. You can also contact Prof DN Sudheendra Rao / Sri S Venkatesh who has written a
beautiful book by name Sri Ahobila Nava Narasimha Kshethra Darshana. The
attachment gives you some info about the Kshetra which is picked from the book in
random. Sri Venkatesh can be reached at 2669 4184 / 93435 09986.

Rgds
Harish